Despite FM!'s brevity, Staples jams so much into every bar that it fully satiates, all while still managing to end so abruptly that it comes as a surprise. The electrifying thrill of FM! is a triumph for the rapper who remains at the top of his game.

FM! features the rapper in his raw form and representing his love for the west coast. Whether you decide to hit play in chronological order or skip around, this album will have you bobbing your head at any point. FM! is a sunny day that not even being stuck in LA traffic can ruin.

While ‘Big Fish Theory’ saw the rapper centre stage, relentless and omnipresent, on ‘FM!’ he lets us tune in to a calmer world, one which he dips in and out of when he pleases, filling in the blanks and staying in the fast lane.

With production duties primarily hot potatoed between Hagler and Kenny Beats, the beats and feel are consistent and strong while not getting in the way of Staples’ flow, which is elastic and modern without losing an inch of his clarity and bluntness.

FM! might have personality, but it's of the more obnoxious and self-obsessed "Get the Fuck Off My Dick" variety, and there's simply not enough quality on display to justify its own brief and largely annoying existence. Next.

Not as great as Big Fish Theory or Summertime '06, but it's still pretty damn good. This is a fun little banger of an album. It reminds me ofNot as great as Big Fish Theory or Summertime '06, but it's still pretty damn good. This is a fun little banger of an album. It reminds me of the immediacy of Pusha T's Daytona from earlier this year. I'm into it.…Expand

Vince keeps showing what a big talent he is, and with this project he might catch the ears of more people. With short songs, Vince manages toVince keeps showing what a big talent he is, and with this project he might catch the ears of more people. With short songs, Vince manages to make the most out of it, with short and sweet choruses, nice interludes and a funny skit.

Energetic and fresh production, Vince fits in well with it, and really is comfortable with them.

The choruses are mostly just a sweet taste of every song, but unfortunately in some songs they overstay their welcome, but doesn't really take anything away from the appeal

Vince Staples goes for simple, fast, and chaotic on this one. Though it is not as epic or "good" in a traditional sense as Big Fish orVince Staples goes for simple, fast, and chaotic on this one. Though it is not as epic or "good" in a traditional sense as Big Fish or Summertime '06, it doesn't try to be. Instead, it grips your attention (something that certain portions of '06 failed to do), balances accessibility with intrigue well (something that Big Fish felt lacking in), and knows it's minuscule place in the world. It sets off to do something simple: to keep the listener invested and excited, and it achieves that very well.
FM! is also a clear showcase of Vince's knack for irony, juxtaposing the overall theme of summer and fun with frantic, dark, bass-heavy production and harsh lyricism. The album is perhaps the most potent example to date of Vince's ability to meld accessibility with artistic value.
Perhaps the most common criticism of the album is its length. However, what one must understand when listening to this album is that the short length was an intentional technique used by Vince to play to the album's strengths: simplicity and straightforwardness. Sure, just because it was intentional doesn't make it right, but FM! doesn't feel abrupt in the slightest. In fact, if it had been any longer, the listener most likely would have gotten sick of the chaotic and maximalist production and gang-related lyrics. What I would say is the albums greatest flaw is its overuse of hard-hitting, bass-driven beats. Vince seems to have had a lapse of his usual derivation from the norm in the making of this decision, and it hinders the potential of this album.
In conclusion: NEWEARLSWEATSHIRT…Expand

A very fun album to listen to with a tracklist filled with bangers. It's a very short album. Even though the album has 11 tracks it stillA very fun album to listen to with a tracklist filled with bangers. It's a very short album. Even though the album has 11 tracks it still doesn't feel like a complete album. It feels like a promo to a bigger and more complete album.…Expand

Kind of a mixed bag. I'll preface this by saying I'm 35 and realize Hip Hop stopped being made with my opinion in mind a long time ago soKind of a mixed bag. I'll preface this by saying I'm 35 and realize Hip Hop stopped being made with my opinion in mind a long time ago so there that is. The album starts off strong Feels Like Summer is good only to be followed by Outside which is meh then followed by Don't Get Chipped which is great. It's kind of a theme for the album, good track/meh track so on and so forth. Tweakin was very good once it got going but the length of the album does hurt it as there are skits interspersed within which is just like why? It's worth a listen and a few of the tracks are fantastic but overall just kind of ok.…Expand